Winter Market Ginger Spice Cake (Print Version)
Festive gluten-free cake with warm ginger, cinnamon, and orange zest. Ideal for winter celebrations and cozy gatherings.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 2 teaspoons ground ginger
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
10 - 2/3 cup light brown sugar
11 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
12 - 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
13 - 2 large eggs
14 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
15 - Zest of 1 orange
→ Optional Toppings
16 - 1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
17 - Powdered sugar for dusting
# Step-by-step Instructions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together applesauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth and fully combined.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined, taking care not to overmix the batter.
05 - Transfer batter into prepared cake pan and smooth the top surface with a spatula.
06 - Sprinkle chopped crystallized ginger over the batter surface if desired.
07 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
08 - Allow cake to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of warming spices creates layers of flavor that unfold with each bite, making it impossible to eat just one slice.
- This cake actually tastes better the day after baking, which means less stress when preparing for gatherings.
02 -
- Gluten-free batters need longer to hydrate, so letting it sit for 5 minutes before baking improves the final texture dramatically.
- The cake will look slightly underdone at the center when perfectly baked, as it continues cooking while cooling.
03 -
- Measure gluten-free flour by weight rather than volume for consistent results every time.
- Warm your eggs to room temperature by placing them in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes before cracking.